NiMet alerts air travellers of thick dust haze over some northern cities

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has alerted the public on the possibility of some northern cities in Nigeria experiencing dust haze which can affect horizontal visibility adversely.

In a statement signed by the General Manager of Public Relations, NiMet, Muntaru Yusuf Ibrahim, the Agency explained that weather reports monitored today indicate that “Stations in Niger (Maradi, Goure, Maine-Soroa, Agadez, Zinder and 61091) and Chad (Faya-Largeau) have reported Dust-Haze with poor horizontal visibility. Strong winds at 800m are expected to transport the dust to the country, particularly the North and North-central regions, in the next few hours.”

The agency further disclosed that satellite images obtained indicate that in the next 24 hours, there are high prospects of THICK DUST HAZE (poor horizontal visibility, 1000m) over Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe and Jigawa; while other northern states are expected to report MODERATE DUST-HAZE (visibility of 2–5km).

According to NiMet, the weather condition is expected to persist for the next 3 days and the Day-Time Temperature (Max) is expected to fall as a result of this plume of dust coming into the country.

In view of this, the agency advised members of the public, especially air travellers, to take necessary precautions due to dust particles presently in suspension over the atmosphere.

Also, Individuals with respiratory ailments are advised to protect themselves as the current weather condition is not good for their health.

The agency also disclosed that Night-time cold temperatures should be expected. Hence, warm clothes are advised for little children.

Airline operators are also advised to avail themselves of weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

NiMet assures continuous monitoring of the weather and will keep Nigerians informed of any further changes.